Container with side pockets, handles, and resealable opening

ABSTRACT

A collapsible container for holding popcorn that is comprised of a front panel, a rear panel, and gusseted side panels. The front and rear panels have pockets mounted at the base of the container. The container also includes carrying handles incorporated into the top of the front and rear panels. The container also contains a releasably sealable opening that maybe sealed by a number of different methods and mechanisms. When the container is open, the user may add a topping, and then seal and shake the container in order to distribute the flavoring agent. Additionally, the user may seal the container, thereby trapping heat so as to maintain an elevated temperature for the popcorn. The resealable opening will also prevent accidental spillage of the popcorn. A fill line is located on the interior of the container in order to allow the user to know how much popcorn to put into the container such that it can still be easily closed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/183,969, filed Jul. 31, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a flexible container for holding food products and in particular to a container for holding popcorn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most traditional items associated with an evening at the cinema is a container of popcorn. Movie theaters make a substantial profit selling popcorn, candy, drinks, and other food items at their concession stands. Conventional popcorn containers are typically rectangular paper bags that have folded side panels (“gussets”). The gusseted side panels fold inwardly, enabling the container to be folded flat for storage and shipment, and then unfolded when the food product is ready to be placed inside the container. These gusseted side panels connect to front and rear panels that, in combination with the gussets, define the structure of an expanded container when the gussets have unfolded.

If a movie patron orders a drink and a container of popcorn at a concession stand, both of his or her hands are full. Should the patron then wish to carry any additional items, such as candy or napkins, that endeavor becomes a juggling act. This problem is compounded for a parent trying to carry concession items for himself or herself as well as for a child or for multiple children.

Additionally, a topping, such as butter or a powdered flavoring, is often added to the popcorn in a conventional container. When the patron adds the topping to the popcorn, however, the topping only flavors the top layer of popcorn. As such, there is often too much topping on the upper layer of the popcorn, whereas the lower layer is not coated with any of the topping.

An additional problem associated with a conventional popcorn container at a movie theater is that the top opening of the container is not sealable. As such, the popcorn constantly releases heat through the top opening to the surrounding atmosphere thereby reducing the temperature of the popcorn. The reduction in temperature has a detrimental effect on the taste and smell of the popcorn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to address the above identified problems, a food container in accordance with the present invention, particularly a popcorn container, has one or more auxiliary pockets for holding additional items, has handles for allowing the user to easily carry the container with one hand, and has a resealable top opening to prevent the escape of heat, to inhibit spilling, and to allow the popcorn to be shaken to evenly distribute the toppings.

With respect to the one or more auxiliary pockets, the auxiliary pockets of the container provide convenient storage spaces for additional concession items. Furthermore, the theater may place advertisements, coupons, or promotional brochures in the auxiliary pockets prior to filling the container with popcorn and selling the popcorn to the customer. The pockets may also have a coupon directly printed on them that the patron could tear off after he or she was finished eating the popcorn.

The container with auxiliary pockets, in accordance with the present invention, is a collapsible, elongated container for holding popcorn or other food items. The container comprises a flat, rectangular bottom panel with connected upwardly extending upright panels, including a front panel and rear panel that are connected to inwardly folded, gusseted side panels. The connected upper ends of the upright panels (front panel, rear panel, and gusseted side panels) define a top opening. In one embodiment, the auxiliary pockets are attached to the outside of the front and rear panels adjacent the bottom panel. In another embodiment, the auxiliary pockets are attached to the inside of the front and rear panels adjacent the top opening of the container.

The auxiliary pockets may have different constructions. In one embodiment, the pockets comprise a front pocket panel and a rear pocket panel connected to each other by a gusseted bottom pocket panel and a pair of inwardly folded, gusseted side pocket panels. The rear pocket panel is then bonded to either the inside or the outside of one of the upright panels of the container. In another embodiment, the auxiliary pocket may be formed of a single pocket panel consisting of a single web of material bonded to one of the upright panels of the container. The single pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel along the pocket panel's edges around a portion of the periphery of the single pocket panel. For a rectangular pocket panel, the portion of the periphery of the pocket panel includes the bottom edge and the two side edges thereby leaving the top edge unbonded to form the opening for the auxiliary pocket. In yet another embodiment, the auxiliary pocket may be preformed by bonding a front pocket panel and a rear pocket panel together around a portion of their mated peripheries. Again in the case of a rectangular front pocket panel and a mated rectangular rear pocket panel, the portion of the periphery of the front and rear pocket panels includes the bottom edges and the two side edges thereby leaving the top edges unbonded to form the opening for the auxiliary pocket. The resulting preformed auxiliary pocket is then bonded to one of the upright panels of the container.

Furthermore, handles near the top of the popcorn container, in accordance with the present invention, make carrying the container easier. The handles are formed by first folding the tops of the front panel and the rear panel outwards and then down towards the container's bottom until they are even with the tops of the side panels form a lip around the top opening of the container. A centrally placed hole, sized for fitting the fingers of a human hand, is made in each lip to create a handle for carrying the container.

Means for releasably sealing the container's lipped top opening is provided in order to close the top opening of the container and thereby secure the popcorn within the container. The means for releasably sealing the container's lipped top opening may include adhesive patches or strips, cohesive patches or strips, or an elongated channel lock fastener. The resealable top opening allows the patron to add a topping to the popcorn and then shake the container in order to evenly distribute the flavored topping throughout the popcorn. A fill line located on the interior portion of the rear panel that allows one to know how much popcorn to place inside the container so that the container can still be easily closed would likewise be desirable. The resealable top opening also allows the patron to seal the container when he or she is not eating the popcorn, in order to trap the heat of the popcorn and thereby maintain an elevated temperature of the popcorn. Furthermore, the resealable top opening inhibits spilling when the container is moved or if the container is accidentally knocked over or dropped.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the second embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention as seen along line 6-6 of FIG. 5. the

FIG. 6 is a section view of a third embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention as seen along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of a food container 10 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated FIGS. 1-4. A second embodiment of a food container 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 5-6. A third embodiment of the food container 210 is illustrated in FIG. 7.

The food container 10 illustrated in FIG. 1-4 is a popcorn container although the food container 10 of the present invention can be used for a variety of food products. The container 10 has a flat, rectangular bottom panel 50 (FIG. 3) and four upright panels, including a front panel 11, a rear panel 12, and gusseted side panels 13 and 14. A top opening 20 is defined by top 21 of the front panel 11, top 22 of the rear panel 12, top 23 of the gusseted side panel 13, and top 24 of the gusseted side panel 14. While the food container 10 will be described in connection with a generally rectangular container, the food container 10 may be any shape including cylindrical, triangular, or other aesthetically desirable shape.

The generally rectangular front and rear panels 11 and 12 are taller and wider than gusset side panels 13 and 14. The gusseted side panel 14 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The gusseted side panels 13 and 14 each comprise a first set of gusset panels 13 a and 13 b and a second set of gusset panels 14 a and 14 b, respectively. The gusset panels 13 a and 13 b R. folded inwardly along fold line 13 c, and the gusset panels 14 a and 14 b R. folded inwardly along fold line 14 c. The fold line 13 c extends from the top 23 of the gusseted panel 13 to the bottom 53 of the gusseted panel 13. The fold line 14 c extends from the top 24 of the gusseted panel 14 to the bottom 54 of the of the gusseted panel 14. These gusseted panels 13 and 14 thereby create accordion type pleats on each side of the container 10, between the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12, when the container 10 is folded and collapsed.

The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are joined along the four corner edges 15 to gusseted side panels 13 and 14. The bottom 11 d of the front panel 11, the bottom 12 d of the the rear panel 12, the bottom 13 d of the side panel 13, and the bottom 14 d of the side panel 14 are joined to the bottom panel 50 to complete the construction of the container 10. The upright panels, including the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, and the side panels 13 and 14 extend upwardly to create the top opening 20 (FIG. 2).

As best shown in FIG. 3, the top 21 of the front panel 11 and the top 22 of the rear panel 12 extend past the top 23 of the side panel 13 and the top 24 of the side panel 14. The top 21 of the front panel 11 and the top 22 of the rear panel 12 are folded outwardly and downwardly until the uppermost portion 31 of the front panel 11 and the uppermost portion 32 of the rear panel 12 are even with the top 23 of the side panel 13 and the top 24 of the side panel 14. This folded structure creates a lipped opening 20 composed of a front lip 21 a and a rear lip 22 a.

The lipped opening 20 has a front handle 41 and a rear handle 42 that are formed by creating centrally placed holes, through front lip 21 a and rear lip 22 a, respectively. The front handle 41 is composed of holes 41 a and 41 b. The rear handle 42 is composed of holes 42 a and 42 b. The holes 41 a, 41 b, 42 a, and 42 b are sized for fitting the fingers of an adult human hand. Although the two layers of material used to create the handles 41 and 42 provide sufficient strength for a fully filled container to be carried without tearing, a reinforcing backing can be added to provide additional strength. Furthermore, interlocking, plastic backings can be applied to the handles to provide additional support as well as a means for releasably sealing the container.

In order to releasably seal the top opening 20 of the container 10, at patches 100 are located near the tops 23 and 24 of the gusset panels 13 a, 13 b, 14 a, and 14 b. When the user wishes to seal the container, he or she collapses the top of the container 10 by bring handles 41 and 42 into contact and then squeeze each adhesive patch 100 against the opposite adhesive patch 100 on its respective side panels 13 and 14. An alternative means for releasably sealing the top opening 20 of the container 10 includes a first adhesive strip 101 located along the length of the interior of the front lip 21 a and beneath the handle 42 (FIG. 1) and a second adhesive strip 103 located along the length of the interior of the rear lip 22 a and beneath the handle 41 (FIG. 4). A further sealing means includes a channel lock fastener comprising a mating male rib or bead and a female sealing channel closure along the length of the top opening 20 located in the same place as the adhesive strips 101 and 103. When the male and female portions are properly aligned and pressed together along the length of the top opening 20, the channel lock fastener creates an airtight seal. Yet a further means for releasably sealing the top opening 20 consists of cohesive patches or strips located in the positions of adhesive patches 100 or of adhesive strips 101 and 103. The cohesive patches or strips adhere only to each other, and therefore will not collect debris as may be the case with the adhesive patches or strips 101 and 103.

A fill line 102 may be located on the interior portion of the container 10 below the top opening 20 to indicate the highest level that the container 10 should be filled so that the container 10 may still be closed by one the means for releasably sealing the container 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an auxiliary pocket 60 is attached to the front panel 11 of the container 10 and an auxiliary pocket 70 is attached to the rear panel 12 of the container 10. The auxiliary pocket 60 is formed by a rectangular front pocket panel 61, folded side pocket panels 63 and 64 (center folds 67 and 68), a rear pocket panel 62, and a bottom pocket panel 65 (FIG. 3) and has a top pocket opening 66. The rear pocket panel 62 of the pocket 60 is bonded to the front panel 11 of the container 10. The rear pocket panel 62 may be bonded to the front panel 11 of the food container 10 by any suitable means including, without limitation, gluing, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or any other method available to those of ordinary skill in the art. With reference to FIG. 4, the pocket 70 is formed by a rectangular front pocket panel 71, folded side pocket panels 73 and 74 (center folds 77 and 78), a rear pocket panel 72, and a bottom pocket panel 75 (FIG. 3) and has a top pocket opening 76. The rear pocket panel 72 of the pocket 70 is bonded to the front panel 12 of the container 10 as previously described with respect to the auxiliary pocket 60.

Alternately, the rear pocket panels 62 and 72 of the pockets 60 and 70 may be eliminated. Without the rear pocket panel 62, the side pocket panels 63 and 64 of the pocket 60 are secured directly to the front panel 11 of the container 10. Without the rear pocket panel 72, the side pocket panels 73 and 74 of the pocket 70 are secured directly to the back panel 12 of the container 10.

The bottom panel 50 of the container 10, shown in FIG. 3, has a center fold 51 that extends from one side 50 a of the bottom panel 50 to the other side 50 b of the bottom panel 50. The bottom panel 50 also has four angular folds 52 that extend from each corner of the bottom panel 50 to the center fold 51 forming an apex 55. A triangular bottom section 54 is formed on opposite ends of the bottom panel 50 between the angular folds 52 and of both sides 50 a and 50 b. The center fold 51 has end sections 56 which extend between the apex 55 and each side 50 a and 50 b and bisect each triangular section 54.

Similarly the bottom pocket panels 65 and 75 of the pockets 60 and 70 respectively, have identical structure. Each bottom pocket panel 65 or 75 has a center fold 80 that extends from one side 81 of the bottom pocket panel 65 or 75 to the other pocket side 82 of the bottom pocket panel 65 or 75. The bottom pocket panels 65 and 75 also each have four angular folds 83 which extend from each corner of the bottom pocket panel 65 or 75 to the center fold 80 forming an apex 84. A triangular bottom section 85 is formed on opposite ends of the bottom pocket panels 65 and 75 between the angular folds 83 and the sides 81 and 82 of the bottom pocket panels 65 and 75. The center fold 80 has end sections 86 which extend between the apex 84 and the sides 81 and 82 and bisect each triangular section 85.

The container 10 may be collapsed as shown in FIG. 4. The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are brought together by folding the sides at the center folds 13 c and 14 c that move inward towards the interior of the container 10. The bottom panel 50 is folded outwards along the bottom center fold 51, but the end sections 56 are folded inwards similar to the side center folds 13 c and 14 c. As the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are brought together, the sides 13 and 14 and the triangular sections 54 are folded in half along the side center folds 13 c and 14 c and the bottom center fold end sections 56 respectively.

The pockets 60 and 70 also are collapsed in an identical manner. The front pocket panel 71 and the rear pocket panel 72 of pocket 70 are brought together by folding the side pocket panels 73 and 74 at the center folds 77 and 78 that move inward towards the interior of the pocket 70. The bottom pocket panels 65 and 75 are folded outwards along their center folds 80, but the end sections 86 are folded inwards similar to the side center folds 77 and 78. As the front and rear panels 11 and 12 are brought together, the sides 73 and 74 and the triangular bottom sections 85 are folded in half along the side center folds 77 and 78 and the bottom center fold end sections 86, respectively. Similarly, the same movement is performed on the analogous structures in the pocket 60 to collapse the pocket 60. The collapsed container 10 and the pockets 60 and 70 can be pressed flat for compact storage.

While one or more of the pockets 60 and 70 may be placed anywhere on the inside or outside of the front panel 11 or of the rear panel 12 of the container 10, the pockets 60 and 70 are positioned on the outside of the front panel 11 or the rear panel 12 adjacent the bottom panel 50 and low enough to keep the container's center of gravity low and thereby provide stability for the container 10. By positioning the pockets 60 and 70 adjacent to the bottom panel 50, the unfolded flat, bottom pocket panels 65 and 75 and the bottom panel 50 of the container 10 form a plane to provide maximum stability in keeping the container in an upright position. Alternatively, the pockets 60 and 70 may be located on the insides of the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12. If the pockets 60 and 70 are located on the insides of the front panel 11 and the rear panel 12, the pockets 60 and 70 are located near the top 21 of the front panel 11 and the top 22 of the rear panel 12 in order to allow access to the pockets 60 and 70 through the top opening 20. Further, the container 10 may have only a single auxiliary pocket pocket, or the container 10 may have more than two auxiliary pockets.

A second embodiment of a food container 110 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The food container 110 comprises a front panel 111, a rear panel 112, a first side panel 113, a second side panel 114, and a bottom panel 150. The panels 111, 112, 113, 114, and 150 are joined together as previously described with respect to panels 11, 12, 13, 14, and 50 of the food container 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Also, as previously described in connection with the food container 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4, the food container 110 has handles 141 in 142 and a top opening 120 that may be releasably sealed. As shown in FIG. 5, the food container 110 has a front pocket 160 attached to the front panel 111 that is different than the front pocket 60 disclosed in the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-4. An additional rear pocket or internal pockets may be provided. The front pocket 160 of the second embodiment of the invention comprises a generally rectangular front pocket panel 161 having side edges 220 and 224, bottom edge 222, and top edge 226. The front pocket panel 161 is bonded to the front panel 111 along side bonding areas 210 and 214 (adjacent side edges 220 and 224 of the front docket panel 161) and along bottom bonding area 212 (adjacent bottom edge 222 of the front pocket panel 161). The top edge 226 of the front pocket panel 161 remains unbonded to form an opening 166 for the front pocket 160.

The construction of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has the advantage of ease of manufacture. During the manufacturing process, the front pocket panel 161 is positioned at the appropriate, predetermined position on the front panel 111 and then bonded to the front panel 111. The front pocket panel 161 may be bonded to the front panel 111 of the food container 110 by any suitable means including, without limitation, gluing, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or any other method available to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A third embodiment of the food container 210 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 7. The third embodiment of the food container 210 is in all respects the same as the food container 110 shown in FIG. 5 except for the construction of the auxiliary pocket 260. The pocket 260 (FIG. 7) comprises two generally rectangular pocket panels, a front pocket panel 261 and a rear pocket panel 262. The pocket 260 is formed by bonding the rectangular pocket panels 261 and 262 along their side edges (not shown) and along their bottom edges 264 and 265 but not along their top edges 268 and 267. The unbonded top edges 268 and 267 define pocket opening 266. The rear pocket panel 262 is then bonded to the front panel 211 of the food container. The pocket panel 262 may be bonded to the front panel 211 of the food container across the entire mating surfaces between the rear pocket panel 262 and the front panel 211 of the food container 210. Alternatively, the rear pocket panel 262 may be spot bonded to the front panel 211. The third embodiment, like the second embodiment, has the advantage of ease of manufacture as compared to the first embodiment.

Suitable materials for both the container and the pockets may be paper stock, coated paper, plastic film, foil, nonwoven fabric, foil-covered paper, or other materials available to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The material used should be flexible enough to allow the container and pockets to be collapsible. The pockets are appropriately sized to hold food products typically sold at a movie theater concession stand, such as a variety of candies. The volume of the auxiliary pocket may range from 5 to 50 cubic inches, although a typical range is 25 to 35 cubic inches. The pocket openings 66 and 76 are sized so that a food product or other item may be easily placed into the pocket and be securely held while the user is carrying the container. The pocket opening may have an area ranging from 2 to 12 square inches, although a typical range is 4 to 8 square inches. While the food container 10 is illustrated as generally rectangular in shape, the food container 10 may be constructed in a variety of shapes including but not limited to square shaped, circular shaped, oval shaped, and any shape that produces both a functional container and that is aesthetically pleasing.

In addition to the embodiments shown in the figures, a container in accordance with the present invention may be constructed with a front panel and a rear panel and with the side edges and bottom edges of the front and rear panels attached to each other. Such a container would not have separate side panels or a separate bottom panel. In another embodiment of the container, the container may be constructed with a front panel, a rear panel, and side panels all connected together at their side edges and bottom edges. Again such a container would not have a separate bottom panel. In yet another embodiment, the container may be constructed with a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel all connected at their edges. Such an embodiment would not have separate side panels.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as described in the appended claims. 

1. A container comprising: a. at least one upright panel with an interior side and exterior side; b. a bottom panel; c. a top opening; and d. a pocket attached to the upright panel, wherein the pocket comprises: i. a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel peripheral edge; ii. a rear pocket panel with a rear pocket panel peripheral edge; iii. a bottom pocket panel with a bottom pocket panel peripheral edge; and iv. side pocket panels with side pocket panel peripheral edges, wherein the front pocket panel is joined to the bottom pocket panel and to the side pocket panels around a portion of the front pocket panel peripheral edge, wherein the rear pocket panel is joined to the bottom pocket panel and to the side pocket panels around a portion of the rear pocket panel peripheral edge to create a pocket opening, and wherein the rear pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the front pocket panel and the rear pocket panel are smaller in size than the upright panel.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel adjacent to the bottom panel.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel adjacent to the top opening.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the front pocket panel, the rear pocket panel, the bottom pocket panel, and the side pocket panels are rectangular shaped and the resulting pocket is rectangular shaped.
 8. The container of claim 7, wherein the bottom pocket panel in the side pocket panels are gusseted so that the front pocket panel can lay flat against the rear pocket panel.
 9. A container comprising: a. at least one upright panel having a top edge and a bottom edge; b. a top opening; and c. a pocket attached to the upright panel, wherein the pocket comprises a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel periphery, wherein the front pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel around a portion of the front pocket panel periphery.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the front pocket panel and the rear pocket panel are smaller in size than the upright panel.
 11. The container of claim 9, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel.
 12. The container of claim 11, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the upright panel.
 13. The container of claim 9, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel.
 14. The container of claim 13, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel adjacent to the top opening.
 15. The container of claim 9, wherein the front pocket panel, the rear pocket panel, the bottom pocket panel, and the side pocket panels are rectangular shaped and the resulting pocket is rectangular shaped.
 16. A container comprising: a. at least one upright panel having a top edge and a bottom edge; b. a top opening; and c. a pocket attached to the upright panel, wherein the pocket comprises: i. a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel periphery; and ii. a rear pocket panel with a rear pocket panel periphery, wherein the front pocket panel is bonded to rear pocket panel around a portion of the pocket panel peripheries and wherein the rear pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel.
 17. The container of claim 16, wherein the front pocket panel and the rear pocket panel are smaller in size than the upright panel.
 18. The container of claim 16, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel.
 19. The container of claim 18, wherein the pocket is attached to the exterior side of the upright panel adjacent to the bottom edge of the upright panel.
 20. The container of claim 16, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel.
 21. The container of claim 20, wherein the pocket is attached to the interior side of the upright panel adjacent to the top opening.
 22. The container of claim 16, wherein the front pocket panel, the rear pocket panel, the bottom pocket panel, and the side pocket panels are rectangular shaped and the resulting pocket is rectangular shaped.
 23. A container comprising: a. at least one upright panel having a top edge in a bottom edge; b. a bottom panel; c. a top opening; d. a pocket attached to the upright panel; e. a handle formed by a hole in the upright panel; and f. a sealing means attached to the upright panel to close the top opening.
 24. The container of claim 23, wherein the pocket attached to the upright panel comprises: a. a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel peripheral edge; b. a rear pocket panel with a rear pocket panel peripheral edge; c. a bottom pocket panel with a bottom pocket panel peripheral edge; and d. side pocket panels with side pocket panel peripheral edges, wherein the front pocket panel is joined to the bottom pocket panel and to the side pocket panels around a portion of the front pocket panel peripheral edge, wherein the rear pocket panel is joined to the bottom pocket panel and to the side pocket panels around a portion of the rear pocket panel peripheral edge to create a pocket opening, and wherein the rear pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel.
 25. The container of claim 23, wherein the pocket attached to the upright panel comprises a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel periphery and wherein the front pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel around a portion of the front pocket panel periphery.
 26. The container of claim 23, wherein the pocket attached to the upright panel comprises: a. a front pocket panel with a front pocket panel periphery; and b. a rear pocket panel with a rear pocket panel periphery, wherein the front pocket panel is bonded to rear pocket panel around a portion of the pocket panel peripheries and wherein the rear pocket panel is bonded to the upright panel.
 27. The container of claim 23, wherein the handle is formed by forming the whole in a portion of upright panel that is folded.
 28. The container of claim 23, wherein the sealing means is selected from a group including adhesive patches, cohesive patches, and a channel lock fastener. 